article 8th Region Christmas Break Re-cap

[8th Region Warrior]

Instead of doing last week over the Christmas Break, I took in as much basketball as one person can take, BUT it is one of my favorite times of the year especially in Kentucky where we have some quality Christmas Tourney's. After these first 3 teams, you can almost guarantee that you would have a hard time picking the 3-8 teams. Anyone can get hot and be dangerous come tourney time.

 

1A. Owen County- Not a lot has changed in my opinion with this team. I would say Carson is the front runner for Mr. Basketball and deservedly so. Guards have improved and Dunaway looks more comfortable. Losses to Trinity and Ballard over the break, and had a chance in both games to win. Wins over Eminence and Henry both district seed games, along with Taylor County and Fairdale.

 

1B. Oldham County- Hard not to put them at #1 so how about a close second. Over the break Oldham won their tourney the Best in Hoops, beating Moore, Manual, and Male. Got on a plane, played in the Cactus Jam where they won 2 and lost in the final, but played against great competition. They will be tested over the next week.

 

2. South Oldham- What a job Steve Simpson is doing in Crestwood, the young Dragons are growing up and getting some quality wins. Won their Tourney Randy Penner Classic, beating Meade County in the final, played at Garrard County in a tourney won 2 and lost to Somerset, the only loss they have currently. And just for icing on the cake went on the road Saturday and beat John Hardin.

 

3. Collins- I know some people may think I am crazy but the Titans are slowly learning and growing in Coach Gaither's system. Over the break wins over Anderson, Simon Kenton, Danville and Henry County, coupled with losses to Meade, Lincoln, and the head scratcher East Jessamine, moves them up in my ranking.

 

4. North Oldham- The Mustangs creep into the top 4 for now, with wins over Butler, Atherton, Iriquois, Scott High, coupled in with losses to Eastern, North Bullitt, and the same Iriquois team that they beat. They seem to be getting better, and have some young kids that are getting valuable playing time. They are in a brutal district but don't sleep on the Mustangs

 

 

5. Simon Kenton- Really don't know the story of the struggles over the break, could be lots of things, injury's,etc, but something has changed the Pioneers. Losses to Augusta, Atherton, Collins, and Montgomery County, coupled in with some wins against Fleming, and Gallatin Co. I still think they are the best team in that district and Coach Steiner will get them playing they way he normally does.

 

6. Shelby County-Just not being consistent as of yet, but it will come sooner than later. They have shown flashes of being a regional contender and then they don't. A lot of new faces and younger players that are getting better. By the end of January I will be shocked if they are not in my top 3-4. Football guys are getting in basketball mode. Wins over Manual, Scott High, and Carlisle Co. Losses to Butler, McCrakcen, Graves, and Henderson Co. The Rockets have played a challenging schedule that will pay off by seasons end.

 

7. Walton Verona- The Bearcats are improving and wanting to get back to the regional tourney, wins over J-twon, Trimble, and Highlands, with the head scratching loss coming to Beth Haven. They only played 4 games over the break which can be helpful if you are practicing and getting better.

 

8. Williamstown- Roger Harden is getting them more and more competitive, over the break they won the North American Tourney at Carroll Co, beating School for Creative Performing Arts, OH, Shawe Memorial, IN and Campbellsville, they also beat Lloyd Memorial before the tourneys got under way. Lost to Cincinnati Christian, OH and the head scratcher for me is the loss at Nicholas County.

 

9. Anderson County-Played in the Twin Lakes Tourney and split the 4 games wins over Metcalfe, and Grant Co, with losses to CAL, and Clinton Co. The next week the play at Nelson, wins coming against Sayre, and Nelson, the lost to Boyle Co. After the Christmas break was over they played Collins in a big seed game, losing by 3. The Bearcats will do nothing but improve in January.

 

10. Spencer County-Wins over Thomas Nelson, Iriquois, and lost in the final to North Bullitt part of the Mike Miller Classic, they then travelled to Orlando Fl, played in the Rock Holiday Classic, that I think is put on by Danny Haney, there is a name from the past. Lost to Windermire Prep, and Harry S Truman of NY, both are really good.

 

11. Carroll County-Wins against Edmonson and School for Creative Performing Arts, OH. Their losses coming to Shawe Memorial Ind, Sayre, Owensboro Catholic, and Ohio Co. Carroll is trying to be that second team in a district that has the best team in the region.

 

12. Henry County- I could of put them ahead of Carroll, but they didnt get it done when they played Carroll, lost to them at home, BUT over the break Henry showed some life and that they could be the second best team behind Owen in the district. They had wins against Sayre, Atherton, and School for Creative Performing Arts, OH. Losses against Campbellsville, CAL , and Collins all competitive games that they had a chance in.

 

13. Grant County-Has fell way down in my polls, only win coming against Metcalfe Co over the break, they did lose a lot to graduation and its a long time to tourney. Losses to Clinton, CAL, and Anderson. They travelled to Florida and played in the Father Lopez losing to Suncoast Florida, but it is the only score reported from Florida.

 

14. Eminence-Only win come against Bath Co, losses to East Jessamine, Ryle, Owen Co, and

Holy Spirit Preparatory, GA.

 

15. Gallatin Co- win came in a big seed game against Carroll Co, only played in 1 Christmas Tourney as I am sure they practiced a lot. Losses to Franklin Co, Simon Kenton, East Jessamine, and Lloyd Memorial.

 

16. Trimble-Picked up 2 wins, beat Crittendon Co, and St. Francis for Coach Mays first win as the head man in Bedford, losses to Walton Verona, Larue, Adair, and J-town.

 

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Oldham County @ Scott County Jan 5th

Oldham County @ South Oldham Jan 8th

Anderson @ Shelby County Jan 8th

Owen @ Henry Jan 8th

Collins @ Spencer Jan 8th

Simon Kenton @ Scott High Jan 8th

[ColonelMike]

The North Oldham vs. Waggener game on Tuesday 1/5/16 could be revealing. Waggener expects to contend for the 7th, and they bring a quality team to Goshen. The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

 

The Oldham vs. South game will also be on The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN on Friday.

[Danny]

The Oldham/Scott County game should decide if Oldham is the real deal, I don't believe Oldham has to win, but will have to make a good showing against the home team. Should be a good one.

[MBKT]

I was able to watch Owen County a couple of times at the KOB. With Carson Williams, their starting 5 can compete with any team in the state. Once they go to their bench it looked like they were inserting JV level guys. Their bench was woefully overmatched at the KOB. Given that thier big man gets very winded after 3 or 4 minutes, and given that the better teams in the state can go 7 or 8 deep with only minimal drop off, the lack of even one pretty good sub is going to be a real issue for Owen County if they even get to Rupp.

[NKY Bandit]

Any chance SK can move to the 16th region?

 

 

 

 

5. Simon Kenton- Really don't know the story of the struggles over the break, could be lots of things, injury's,etc, but something has changed the Pioneers. Losses to Augusta, Atherton, Collins, and Montgomery County, coupled in with some wins against Fleming, and Gallatin Co. I still think they are the best team in that district and Coach Steiner will get them playing they way he normally does.

[gchs_uk9]

2. South Oldham- What a job Steve Simpson is doing in Crestwood, the young Dragons are growing up and getting some quality wins. Won their Tourney Randy Penner Classic, beating Meade County in the final, played at Garrard County in a tourney won 2 and lost to Somerset, the only loss they have currently. And just for icing on the cake went on the road Saturday and beat John Hardin.

 

Saw South Oldham play a couple times in the Garrard County tournament and was impressed. They all handle the ball well and can shoot. I do question how they'd fare against a team with a good big man.

[Polar Bearcat]

Coach Simpson uses the same formula everywhere he has been. Back to back 8th region championships so I'd say his teams fare pretty well against teams with bigs.

[ColonelMike]

Simpson's smart. He plays to his team's advantages. Against bigs, South will force the other team's big to play out on the floor on defense, or South winds up with an uncontested three - and they generally make them. If the big comes out, it creates dribble-drive opportunities, generally. Defensively, South is adept at mixing up their looks to confuse offenses, and they will try hard to force a bigger team to play full-court both ways.

 

Like any scheme, it sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. Obviously - from his record - it works for him more often than not!